PRESIDENT AQUINO RE-APPOINTS SALCEDA AS BICOL RDC CHAIR

PRESIDENT AQUINO RE-APPOINTS SALCEDA AS BICOL RDC CHAIR

By Cet Dematera

LEGAZPI CITY---President Aquino has re-appointed Albay Gov. Joey Salceda as chairman of the Bicol Regional Develoment Council (RDC), his third term, two of which were under the administration of former president, now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo.

In the omnibus appointment letter dated Dec.2, 2010 signed be Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr, Salceda is among the nine RDC chairmen appointed, or re-appointed by Aquino.

RDC is an organization with the secretariat based at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) offices across the country, and composed of government and non-government agencies tasked to formulate economic programs and activities for a particular region.

Salceda, a know close ally and economic adviser of Arroyo, jumped into the Aquino camp when he accepted the position as Liberal Party’s Regional Chairman for Bicol last April 20,2009. He however opted to remain as Albay governor rather than accepting any official portfolio in the Aquino administration.

Although he got only eight votes as against the 32 votes for Camarines Sur gov. L-Ray Villafuerte when he ran as RDC chair in 2007, Arroyo had chosen him as the RDC Bicol head. And he ran unopposed for the second term rthis year.

And talks that he would be replaced under the Aquino administration was finally set aside upon his re-appointment this December.

Other appointees are Gov. Victor A. Tanco Sr. for Region VI; Gov. Agustin Ramon M. Perdices for Region VII; Gov. Carlos Jericho L. Petilla for Region VIII; Mayor Evelyn T. Uy for Region IX; Mayor Laurence Ll. Cruz for Region X; Mayor Sara Z. Duterte for Region XI; and Mayor Darlene Magnolia R. Antonino-Custodio for Region 12.(cet dematera)
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